Plum tree named ‘Suplumfiftyfour’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct plum tree variety, Prunus salicina, cv. ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ is characterized by having very large, juicy fruit with black skin and yellow flesh. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ also has a high Brix:Acid ratio, firm flesh, a mildly sweet flavor and a stone that clings to the flesh. The date of ripening of the fruit of the new variety is later than for ‘Friar’ (unpatented) and earlier than ‘Owen-T’ (unpatented). The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ is larger than the fruit for ‘Friar’ (unpatented) and ‘Owen-T’ (unpatented).

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus salicina.

Variety denomination: ‘Suplumfiftyfour’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a new and distinct variety of plum tree, Prunus salicina cv. ‘Suplumfiftyfour’. The new variety was first originated by hybridization in July 2005 by Terry A. Bacon as breeder number ‘PL608YB’.

The new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ is characterized by having very large, juicy fruit with black skin and yellow flesh. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ also has a high Brix:Acid ratio, firm flesh, a mildly sweet flavor and a stone that clings to the flesh.

The seed parent is ‘Suplumthirtyfive’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,897), and the pollen parent is an unknown plum from bulk pollen. The parent varieties were first crossed in February 2001, with the date of first sowing being February 2002, and the date of first flowering being February 2005. The new plum variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ was first asexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in February 2006 by dormant grafting.

The new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ is similar its seed parent ‘Suplumthirtyfive’ in that the fruit of both varieties has yellow flesh and black skin. The new variety ‘Suplufiftythree’ differs from its seed parent ‘Suplumthirtyfive’ in that the ripening time for the new variety is 37 days later than ‘Suplumthirtyfive’.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ has similar black skin and yellow flesh as that of ‘Friar’ (unpatented). However, the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ differs from ‘Friar’ in that ripening starts about 6 days later for the new variety and the new variety has a smaller fruit size at about 215 g compared 123 g for ‘Friar’. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ has similar black skin and yellow skin to the fruit of the variety ‘Owen-T’ (unpatented), but in the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ ripening starts about 17 days later than for ‘Owen-T’. In addition, the new variety has a larger fruit size at about 215 g compared 170 g for ‘Owen-T’. Further, the new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ has a Brix:Acid ratio of about 49 compared to 30 for ‘Owen-T’.

The new variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ has been shown to maintain its distinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagations by, for example, cuttings and grafting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration FIG. 1 shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new plum variety ‘Suplumfiftyfour’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, a view of the fruit as a whole, the stone as a whole, and a sectional view of a fruit divided across its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. The photographs depict fruit and vegetative growth from a four year old tree.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to four year old ‘Suplumfiftyfour’ plants grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County, Calif. during 2017 and is believed to apply to plants of the variety grown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (Measurements taken on three year old trees unless     otherwise noted).     -   -   Size.—Medium, reaches a height of approximately 3 meters             with normal pruning.         -   Habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Vigor.—Medium, top shoot growth of at 0.8 meter during the             growing season.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive.         -   Bearer.—On spurs and long shoots.         -   Fertility.—Self-incompatible; requires pollinator.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California.             Winter chilling requirement is approximately 550 hours at or             below 7.2° C.         -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—Under close observation             in Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease             resistance/susceptibility has been observed.         -   Insect resistance/susceptibility.—Under close observation in             Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit insect             resistance/susceptibility has been observed. -   Trunk: (Measurements at approximately 30 cm above soil line on     mature tree).     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 10 cm.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increasing with age of tree.         -   Trunk color.—About Dark Grey 201B with highlights of Dark             Greyed-Orange 199B, becoming darker with age. -   Branches: (Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil line).     -   -   Size.—Diameter approximately 10 cm.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increasing with age.         -   Color.—About Dark Grey 201B with highlights of about Medium             Greyed-Brown 199B, becoming darker with age.         -   Lenticels.—Present.         -   Lenticels density.—Plentiful, about 201/cm².         -   Lenticels color.—About Light Grey 201D.         -   Lenticels dimensions.—Length: approximately 3 mm. Width:             approximately 1 mm. -   Flowering shoots: (Data taken in September at mid-point of current     season growth).     -   -   Size.—Average diameter approximately 5 mm.         -   Color.—Topside: About Medium Yellow-Green 152D. Underside:             About Medium Yellow-Green 152D.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 1.5 cm. Midway on shoot.         -   Flowering shoot lenticels.—Medium. Color: About Light             Greyed-Brown 199D. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 mm.         -   Flowering shoot vegetative buds.—Size: Medium, approximately             1.5 mm×2.5 mm. Shape: Conical. Bud shape at apex: Acute.             Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A.         -   Flowering shoot flower buds.—Shape: Ovoid. Dimensions:             Approximately 1.5 mm×2.8 mm. Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange             177A. Distribution: 2-6 buds, generally on spurs and one             year old shoots.         -   Ratio of flowering buds to vegetative buds.—2-6 flower buds             to 1 vegetative bud.         -   Anthocyanin intensity on upper side of shoot.—Absent or very             sparse.         -   Spur length.—Medium, usually 8 mm.         -   Position of vegetative bud in relation to shoot.—Slightly             held out.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (Data taken in September on fully expanded leaves at     mid-point of the current season growth).     -   -   Average length.—Long; approximately 9.5 cm without petiole.         -   Average width.—Medium; approximately 4 cm.         -   Length/width ratio.—Moderately elongated, about 2.4:1.         -   Color.—Upper surface: About Dark Green 139A. Lower surface:             About Medium Green 139C.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Acuminate.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.         -   Vein color.—About Light Green 139D with highlights of Medium             Greyed-Orange 176C where exposed to sun.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth on both upper and lower surfaces.         -   Shape in the cross section.—Concave.         -   Angle at apex.—Acute.         -   Profile.—Up folded.         -   Leaf blade tip.—Curved downwardly.         -   Undulation of margin.—Slight.         -   Glossiness of upper side.—Medium.         -   Density of pubescence of lower side.—Absent or very sparse. -   Petiole:     -   -   Average length.—Medium, approximately 10 mm.         -   Average diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.         -   Color.—About Light Green 139D with highlights of Medium             Greyed-Orange 176C where exposed to sun. -   Stipules:     -   -   Number/leaf bud.—Usually one.         -   Typical length.—Approximately 8 mm.         -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A when dried.         -   Persistence.—Falls off. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Average number and arrangement.—0-4, alternating.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 mm.         -   Color.—About Medium Greyed-Yellow 162A becoming Dark             Greyed-Orange 166A over time.         -   Positions of nectarines (glands).—Predominately on the             petiole, also on base of leaf blades.

FLOWERS

-   General:     -   -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Medium for the San Joaquin             Valley, Calif.         -   Flower blooming period.—First bloom: Approximately February             22 in Wasco, Calif. Full bloom: Approximately February 26 in             Wasco, Calif.         -   Location of first bloom.—Tips of one year old shoots.         -   Location of full bloom.—Central part of the tree canopy.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days.         -   Diameter of fully opened flower.—Medium, approximately 1.8             cm.         -   Flower form.—Showy. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Length.—Long, approximately 12 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.2 mm.         -   Color.—About Light Green 138C.         -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Petals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Slightly overlapping.         -   Color.—About White 155A.         -   Length.—Medium, approximately 7.8 mm.         -   Width.—Approximately 7.9 mm.         -   Shape.—Circular.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded.         -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Undulation of margins.—Medium.         -   Frequency of flowers with double petals.—None.         -   Claw.—Absent. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Length.—Approximately 4 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 3 mm.         -   Shape.—Triangular.         -   Color.—About Light Green 138C.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Margins.—Undulating.         -   Positioning.—Adpressed to petals.         -   Frequency of flowers with double sepals.—None. -   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Usually 24-30, usually 28.         -   Average length.—Variable, ranging from 3 mm to 10 mm.         -   Filament color.—About White 155A.         -   Flower pollen color.—About Medium Yellow-Orange 18A.         -   Position.—Perigynous. -   Pistil:     -   -   Average length.—Approximately 3-4 mm.         -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 2.2 mm.         -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Stigma extension in comparison to anthers.—Usually below.         -   Style frequency of supplementary pistils.—Few. -   Receptacle:     -   -   Depth.—Medium, approximately 4 mm.         -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent.

FRUIT

-   General: (Description taken near Wasco, Kern County, Calif.). -   Ripening:     -   -   Time of beginning of fruit ripening.—Mid-season.         -   Date of first pick.—Approximately July 23.         -   Date of last pick.—Approximately August 2.         -   Maturity when described.—Firm-mature. -   Size:     -   -   Height.—Tall, approximately 71 mm.         -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 78 mm.         -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Broad, approximately             78 mm.         -   Average weight.—Very large, approximately 215 gm. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length of stem.—Short, approximately 7 mm.         -   Diameter of stem.—Approximately 3 mm.         -   Color of stem.—About Light Green 139D. -   Shape:     -   -   Viewed from apex.—Circular.         -   Viewed in-line with suture.—Circular.         -   Viewed from side, perpendicular to suture.—Circular.         -   Symmetry.—Symmetric or slightly asymmetric.         -   Shape of base.—Slightly depressed.         -   Shape of apex.—Slightly depressed. -   Fruit stem cavity:     -   -   Depth of stalk cavity.—Shallow; Approximately 6 mm.         -   Width of stalk cavity.—Medium; Approximately 12 mm.         -   Depth of suture.—Absent or very shallow. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium, typical of most varieties.         -   Flavor.—Mild.         -   Adherence to flesh.—Strong.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Bloom.—Medium.         -   Ground color.—Not visible.         -   Overcolor.—About Dark Black 202A.         -   Relative area of overcolor.—Whole surface.         -   Pattern of overcolor.—Solid.         -   Reticulation.—Absent.         -   Tendency to crack.—Rare.         -   Number of lenticels.—Few, about 10/cm².         -   Size of lenticels.—Very small, and difficult to see. Less             than 0.2 mm. -   Flesh at firm-mature harvest stage:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm-juicy.         -   Flavor.—Mildly sweet, about 49 Brix:Acid.         -   Color.—About Medium Yellow-Orange 14C.         -   Firmness.—Firm, typically 10 lb pressure at harvest.         -   Juice.—Medium, able to squeeze free juice easily.         -   Acidity.—Low, 0.35% titratable acidity.         -   Sweetness.—High, about 17 degrees Brix at harvest.         -   Adherence to stone.—Adherent.         -   Amount of fiber.—Low. -   Fruit use: Fresh market. -   Fruit shipping and keeping quality: Good. -   Stone:     -   -   Stone freeness.—Cling.         -   Stone size.—Size: Medium. Length: Approximately 22 mm.             Diameter in line with suture plan: Approximately 20 mm.             Diameter perpendicular to suture plane: Approximately 10 mm.         -   Color.—About Medium Greyed-Yellow 161C when dried.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—Middle.         -   Shape from lateral view.—Circular.         -   Shape from ventral view.—Narrow elliptic.         -   Shape from basal view.—Narrow elliptic.         -   Base shape.—Nearly straight.         -   Apex shape.—Slightly pointed.         -   Stone ridges.—Rounded throughout.         -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Partially developed.         -   Ventrical edge.—Thin with wing toward middle.         -   Dorsal edge.—Narrow, shallow grooves throughout.         -   Fibers.—Not visible.         -   Symmetry in lateral view.—Symmetrical or slightly             asymmetrical.         -   Texture of lateral surface.—Slightly rough.         -   Width of stalk-end.—Narrow.         -   Tendency to split.—Rare. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree as herein described and illustrated. 